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1
EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
Unit Structure
1.0 Objectives
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Sources Acquiring Knowledge
1.3 Meaning, Steps and Scope of Educational Research
1.4 Scientific Method, aims and characteristics of research as a
scientific activity
1.5 Ethical considerations in Educational Research
1.6 Paradigms of Educational research
1.7 Types of Research
1.7.a Fundamental
1.7.b Applied Research
1.7.c. Action Research
1.0 OBJECTIVES :
After reading this unit, you will be able to:
To explain the concept of Educational Research
To describe the scope of Educational Research
To state the purpose of Educational Research
To explain what is scientific enquiry.
To explain importance of theory development.
To explain relationship among science, education and
educational research.
To Identity fundamental research
To Identity applied research
To Identify action research
To Differentiate between fundamental, applied, and action
research
To Identify different paradigms of research
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1.1 INTRODUCTION :
Research purifies human life. It improves its quality. It is
search for knowledge. If shows how to Solve any problem
scientifically. It is a careful enquiry through search for any kind of
Knowledge. It is a journey from known to unknown. It is a
systematic effort to gain new knowledge in any kind of discipline.
When it Seeks a solution of any educational problem it leads to
educational research.
Curiosity, inquisitiveness are natural gifts secured by a man.
They inspire him to quest, increase his thirst for knowledge / truth.
After trial and error, he worked systematically in the direction of the
desired goal. His adjustment and coping with situation makes him
successful in his task. Thereby he learns something‘s, becomes wise
and prepares his own scientific procedure while performing the same
task for second time. So is there any relationship among science,
education and educational Research?
―Research is the voyage of discovery‖. It is the quest for
answers to unsolved problems.
Research is required in any field to come up with new
theories or modify, accept, or nullify the existing theory. From time
immemorial it has been seen so many discoveries and inventions
took place through research and world has got so many new theories
which help the human being to solve his problems. Graham Bell,
Thomas Edison, JC Bose, John Dewey, Skinner, Piaget Research
like have given us theories which may cause educational progress
research needs expertise.
1.2 SOURCES OF ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE :
From the time we were born and the present day, each one of
us has accumulated a body of knowledge. Curiosity, the desire to
learn about one‘s environment and the desire to improve one‘s life
through problem-solving is natural to all human beings. For this
purpose, human beings depend on several methods / sources of
acquiring knowledge as follows:
1. Learned Authority : Human beings refer to an authority such as
a teacher, a parent or the boss or an expert or consultant and seek
his / her advice. Such an authority may be based on knowledge or
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experience or both. For example, if a child has difficulty in
learning a particular subject, he / she may consult a teacher.
Learned authority could also be a book / dictionary /
encyclopaedia / journal / web-site on internet.
2. Tradition : Human beings easily accept many of the traditions of
their culture or forefathers. For example, in matters of food,
dress, communications, religion, home remedies for minor
ailments, the way a friend will react to an invitation, one relies on
family traditions. On the other hand, students, in case of
admission criteria and procedures, examination patterns and
procedures, methods of maintaining discipline, co-curricular
activities, acceptable manner of greeting teachers and peers rely
on school traditions. Long established customs or practices are
popular sources of acquiring knowledge. This is also known as
tenacity which implies holding on to a perspective without any
consideration of alternatives.
3. Experience : Our own prior personal experiences in matters of
problem-solving or understanding educational phenomena is the
most common, familiar and fundamental source of knowledge.
4. Scientific Method : In order to comprehend and accept learning
acquired through these sources, we use certain approaches which
are as follows:
(a) Empiricism : It implies relying on what our senses tell us.
Through a combination of hearing and seeing we come to
know the sound of a train. i.e. through these two senses, we
learn to associate specific sounds with specific objects. Our
senses also enable us to compare objects / phenomena /
events. They provide us with the means for studying and
understanding relationships between various concepts (eg.
level of education and income).
(b) Rationalism : It includes mental reflection. it places
emphasis on ideas rather than material substances. if we see
logical interconnectedness between two or more things, we
accept those things. For example, we may reason that
conducive school / college environment is expected to lead
to better teacher performance.
(c) Fideism : It implies the use of our beliefs, emotions or gut
reactions including religion. We believe in God because
our parents told us though we had not sensed God, seen or
heard him nor had concluded that that his existence is
logically proved.
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1.3 MEANING, STEPS AND SCOPE OF EDUCATIONAL
RESEARCH :
MEANING OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH :
Educational Research as nothing but cleansing of educational
Research is nothing but cleansing of educational process. Many
experts think Educational Research as under-
According to Mouly, ―Educational Research is the systematic
application of scientific method for solving for solving educational
problem.‖
Travers thinks, ―Educational Research is the activity for
developing science of behavior in educational situations. It allows
the educator to achieve his goals effectively.‖
According to Whitney, ―Educational Research aims at finding
out solution of educational problems by using scientific
philosophical method.‖
Thus, Educational Research is to solve educational problem
in systematic and scientific manner, it is to understand, explain,
predict and control human behaviour.
Educational Research Characterizes as follows :
- It is highly purposeful.
- It deals with educational problems regarding students and
teachers as well.
- It is precise, objective, scientific and systematic process of
investigation.
- It attempts to organize data quantitatively and qualitatively to
arrive at statistical inferences.
- It discovers new facts in new perspective. i. e. It generates
new knowledge.
- It is based on some philosophic theory.
- It depends on the researchers ability, ingenuity and experience
for its interpretation and conclusions.
- It needs interdisciplinary approach for solving educational
problem.
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